Kagurabachi Manga Takes Emergency One-Week Break Due to Author Takeru Hokazono's Illness

Takeru Hokazono's hit manga Kagurabachi is taking an unplanned one-week break from Weekly Shonen Jump due to the author's sudden illness. The series will skip the magazine's 25th issue and resume publication in issue 26, scheduled for May 25, 2026.

What Happened

Shueisha confirmed the emergency hiatus through the official Kagurabachi social media channels, stating that the chapter originally scheduled for Weekly Shonen Jump issue 25 would be postponed due to "the sudden illness of its author." No further details about Hokazono's specific condition were disclosed. The announcement came late enough in the production cycle that Kagurabachi still appeared on the issue's promotional postcard, as the correction could not be made in time due to printing deadlines.

The break means readers will go two weeks without a new Kagurabachi chapter, though the series is confirmed to return the following week with no indication of an extended absence.

A Pattern of Concern

This is not the first time Hokazono has needed to step away from the grueling weekly serialization schedule. Kagurabachi took a similar unplanned one-week break in June 2025, also attributed to the author's sudden illness. A separate production-related break followed in October 2025. While none of these hiatuses have been extended, the recurring pattern has fueled concern among fans about whether the demanding Weekly Shonen Jump schedule is sustainable for the young creator.

Hokazono launched Kagurabachi in Weekly Shonen Jump in September 2023, and the series quickly became one of the magazine's breakout successes. It won the Tsugi Manga Award in 2024 and has been recognized on Shueisha's MANGA Plus platform as one of its strongest newcomers. The manga currently has multiple collected volumes in print.

Fan Response and the Anime on the Horizon

The online response to the break has been overwhelmingly supportive, with readers across social media sending well-wishes to Hokazono rather than expressing frustration over the missed chapter. Many fans pointed to the intense workload of weekly serialization and urged the author to prioritize recovery.

The stakes around Hokazono's health are amplified by the upcoming anime adaptation of Kagurabachi, which CygamesPictures is developing. With the anime expected to arrive in April 2027, the manga's continued serialization is critical for building momentum heading into what will be a major multimedia push for the franchise. A prolonged absence could complicate story pacing and promotional timelines.

What Comes Next

Kagurabachi is set to return in Weekly Shonen Jump issue 26 on May 25, 2026. Shueisha has given no indication that the break will extend beyond the single week.

The broader conversation around manga creator health continues to gain traction in the industry. High-profile hiatuses from authors of Hunter x Hunter, Berserk, and more recently Jujutsu Kaisen have spotlighted the physical and mental toll that weekly serialization exacts on creators. Hokazono, who is still relatively early in his career, joins a growing list of young mangaka navigating the tension between reader demand and sustainable working conditions.

For now, fans are waiting patiently and hoping that Hokazono makes a swift recovery ahead of what promises to be one of the busiest stretches in the series' still-young history.